The fourth event for the 2024 championship season, the return to Indonesia brought with it another seven qualifiers for the overall series title. The event covered a series of loop and reverse run stages through the PT PP Lonsum plantation area in Serdang Bedagai, with its base in North Sumatra’s vibrant Medan city.
Adding a layer of difficulty to an already challenging rally it was an event of two halves with the Saturday dry and dusty while Sunday’s Rambong Sialang stages were hit by overnight strong winds and heavy rain, transforming the stage surface into a muddy, slippery challenge. As a result, the organisers made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel Special Stages 7 and 8.
Local favourite Musa Rajekshah, driving a Skoda Fabia Rally2 for the BLA BLA BLA Motorsport Team, finished fourth overall. Rajekshah, who was in third position after Saturday’s Leg 1, struggled with tyre selection on the slippery surfaces on the Sunday, which cost him a spot on the podium.
The rally also attracted a large number of spectators, with fans gathering at key locations such as crests and corners to see their heroes. Their enthusiasm resulted in additional control measures at several of the stages, creating delays in the timetable.
The event concluded with a ceremonial finish and prize-giving ceremony on Sunday, at Lapangan Bola Garahap Rambong Sialang, where the fans again packed the vantage points. Of the seven starters, all made it to the finish of the 201.49km challenge.
The series next event is the Rally Longyou – China (21-22 September), a traditional rally of mixed concrete and gravel. It is the third and final round for the 2024 Asia Cup and penultimate to the season finale, being held in New Zealand 8-10 November.
Sumatera Utara Rally 2024 – APRC Resutls (Unofficial)
1. H Rihan V / M Fahrezi, Hyundai i20 N Rally2, 1:10:12.4
2. H Rahmat / Hade M, Hyundai i20 N Rally2, +0:41.1
3. Musa R / Hervian S, Skoda Fabia Rally2, +1:48.9
4. R Prayoga / Donny W, Hyundai i20 N R5, +2:31.3
5. Bimo P / M Herkusuma, Ford Fiesta Rally2, +2:52.5
Photos: Ferdy Siregar and Danau Toba Rally Official Facebook
